As a parent, I always set high expectations for my kids during the summer. They were supposed to complete at least five pages of their workbooks each day, with enticing rewards awaiting them if they did. I was determined to ensure that the knowledge they gained throughout the school year remained fresh in their minds. The thought of them returning to school with rusty brains was unacceptable to me.
Every summer began and ended with this educational mission in mind. However, the importance of this goal began to fade over time. I distinctly remember the last time I purchased those workbooks; I recently stumbled upon my son’s fourth-grade review book buried under piles of clutter in his room, with only four pages filled out.
Clearly, we had started off with good intentions, but the significance of it all dwindled quickly that year. I can’t remember how or why it happened. Maybe it was the long days spent at the pool or the exhausting day camps that left them too tired to focus on their work. Perhaps I simply became complacent.
What I learned through this decline in academic focus was as elusive as my initial motivation. I vaguely recall those moments of panic when I thought, “Oh no, we need to get back to those workbooks!” But like many aspects of motherhood, I couldn’t pinpoint when I began to let go of that goal. It faded away, much like my children’s intellectual engagement during the summers since.
Despite my initial fears, my kids thrived in school! Each year, they hopped back onto the academic track, achieving great grades and demonstrating strong efforts without missing a beat. After that first summer of worrying about their academic performance due to my own slackening, I realized they were just fine. They jumped right into their studies every fall and never struggled to keep up with the new material.
I’m not advocating for parents to dismiss their educational goals for their children. I understand the importance of addressing the needs of kids with learning challenges, and I recognize that each child has unique academic requirements. However, if you find yourself at the end of summer with only a few pages filled in on those workbooks, rest assured that your child will likely be okay too.
So, don’t stress, parents. It turns out that our kids’ brains don’t deteriorate significantly over a few months’ time. The refreshing break that summer provides—and all the experiences it brings—can actually enrich their minds, preparing them to tackle the school year with renewed vigor. Perhaps taking that break is, in fact, the best approach after all.
Instead of focusing on workbooks during a long road trip, my kids gazed out at new landscapes they had never encountered. They learned to dive off the diving board, cultivate a garden, engage in new sports, and catch fireflies. They discovered that spending hours outside, building tree forts and exploring creeks for hidden treasures, can fill their minds in ways that traditional education cannot.
There’s an abundance of learning that happens in the summertime—far beyond math equations or vocabulary drills. This is what I like to call Life Lessons. And you know what? It seems to be working just fine.